U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ruppert L. Sargent, Hero of Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam on March 15, 1967.
First African-American Medal of Honor recipient
By Tetaun Moffett 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ruppert L. Sargent (1938-1967), is likely one of the most decorated military service members throughout the city of Hampton, Virginia. As a Hampton native, he was the first African-American officer to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics at Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam on March 15, 1967.
Sargent served as a rifle platoon leader of Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Regiment, and 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War.
Fifty years ago today, he uncovered a Viet Cong weapons cache and tunnel complex. At the entrance of the complex Sargent observed a booby trap and tried to blow it up with a hand grenade, but he failed to destroy it.
As Sargent and his Soldiers walked closer towards the tunnel entrance, an enemy fighter tossed two grenades into the vicinity of the platoon. Without any hesitation Sargent fired three shots then threw himself on top of the grenades, fatally injuring himself, while two of his men received minor injuries.
According to the Sargent’s Medal of Honor citation, because of his courageous and selfless act of exceptional heroism, he saved the lives of the platoon sergeant and forward observer, and prevented the injury or death of several other nearby comrades. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Aside from being Hampton’s only Medal of Honor winner, in 2001 the city Hampton dedicated a seven-story building in his honor. The Ruppert L. Sargent Memorial City Administrative Building is located at 1 Franklin Street in downtown Hampton, and in the lobby there is a bronze statue of him on display.
Sargent’s grave site is located at Hampton National Cemetery.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 493
Honoring the memory of First Lieutenant Ruppert L. Sargent.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 6, 2002 Agreed to by the Senate, March 8, 2002
WHEREAS, on March 15, 1967, Army First Lieutenant Ruppert L. Sargent was leading a platoon in Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, investigating a Viet Cong meeting house and weapons cache; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Sargent, noticing a booby trap, attempted to destroy it with explosives, which flushed an enemy soldier from hiding; and
WHEREAS, one of Lieutenant Sargent’s men killed the Viet Cong soldier, but a second emerged from hiding and threw two hand grenades at Lieutenant Sargent, his platoon sergeant, and his forward observer; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Sargent unhesitatingly threw himself over the two grenades and in the explosion was mortally wounded, while his two companions were lightly wounded; and
WHEREAS, the United States Army recommendation that Lieutenant Ruppert L. Sargent be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor states that “by his courageous and selfless act of exceptional heroism, he saved the lives of the platoon sergeant and the forward observer and prevented the injury or death of several other nearby comrades”; and
WHEREAS, in 1968 the Army’s recommendation for Lieutenant Sargent’s posthumous Medal of Honor was approved, making him the first African-American officer so recognized; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Ruppert L. Sargent was born, raised, and educated in the City of Hampton and is buried in Hampton National Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, to honor his memory, the City of Hampton has proposed that its new downtown office building be named the Ruppert L. Sargent City Administration Building; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly honor the memory of First Lieutenant Ruppert L. Sargent, an American hero; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution to be displayed in the Ruppert L. Sargent City Administration Building in Hampton.